Cleveland adds more firepower on offense while trading back to acquire more consistency on both sides of the ball.
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 13 to 6 on Sunday, and though the win technically “hurt” their 2026 NFL Draft stock, they could use it as a positive thing. Andrew Berry and Co. could choose to trade down and add more top-100 selections in April now that they’re out of Fernando Mendoza/Dante Moore range.
In this mock draft, the Browns find it more beneficial to trade down and add another first-round selection for 2026. When in doubt, trade out.
In this particular situation:
- Cleveland trades picks No.6 & No.70 to Dallas for picks No.14 & No.21 because the Cowboys were desperate to trade up and select Ohio State star LB/DE Arvell Reese.
The Browns end up with an excellent portfolio of selections after this move.
No.14: OT Caleb Lomu – Utah
Cleveland finally finds their future left tackle with their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft in Lomu. He has great size and length at 6’6”, 305 lbs., and is surprisingly advanced from a technical standpoint despite being so young.
He’s the type of elite pass protector with above-average athleticism that the Browns have been looking for at left tackle since 2018. Moving back 8 spots doesn’t deter them from making an almost perfect first pick here.
No.21: WR KC Concepcion – Texas A&M
It’s no secret that Cleveland’s been lacking in the wide receiver department for some time now, and Concepcion could immediately fix that. He’s one of the most explosive playmakers in the entire class and has been terrorizing CFB defenses since he was a true freshman.
His ability to make people miss after the catch is second to none in the class, and he’s no slouch as a route-runner either. Though he’s not the biggest guy in the world (5’11”, 190 lbs.), he’ll be able to provide whoever Cleveland’s starter at QB will be in 2026 with a reliable pass-catcher in the slot or at “Z”.
No.27: OT Blake Miller – Clemson
The former Strongsville High School big man has been one of the better offensive tackles in college football for two seasons now, and he’d come to Cleveland with the ability to start at right tackle immediately.
Being able to grab two starting offensive tackles in round one would be a best-case scenario for Andrew Berry and Co. in 2026.
No.39: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren – Toledo
The Browns’ defense is heavily reliant upon the safety position in both phases of the game, and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren just so happens to be great against both the run and pass.
Though Cleveland is most likely going to extend Ronnie Hickman this offseason, it doesn’t hurt to add to the safety room in the draft instead of leaning on veterans like Rayshawn Jenkins, who’s also set to be a free agent when the new league year begins, as one of your top rotational safeties.
No.107: CB Malik Muhammad – Texas
Muhammad is a perfect fit at boundary corner for Cleveland, with the quick-twitch ability to contribute in the slot if need be.
No.141: G/C Sam Hecht – Kansas State
Hecht was one of the best centers in all of college football in 2025, and he might be just as effective at offensive guard. Depending on what the Browns do with Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller in 2026, Hecht could come in and either compete with someone like Zak Zinter for a starting spot or provide the team with top-notch depth on the interior.
Luke Wypler might have solidified the starting center spot for 2026, but if not, Hecht could also challenge there as a rookie.
No.146: WR Deion Burks – Oklahoma
More weapons for the quarterback? Yes please.
Much like Concepcion, Burks is incredibly explosive and is a threat to make plays downfield whenever he touches the football.
No.149: DT Zane Durant – Penn State
Durant is a 6’1”, 288-pound menace on the interior and could cause problems for any offensive line at the NFL level. It never hurts to add more ammunition to the defensive tackle position in Cleveland’s attacking-style defense.
Shelby Harris is also likely to be gone in 2026.
No.202: RB J’Mari Taylor – Virginia
Taylor was a do-it-all type of running back for UVA this year, and he’d be a solid addition to the Browns’ backfield. Not many ball-carriers of his size have the type of pass-catching upside that Taylor has in the 2026 class.
No.207: C Jager Burton – Kentucky
Burton has a ton of experience with 40+ collegiate starts at both guard and center in the SEC. If he ends up falling this far, Cleveland would undoubtedly be salivating.
No.246: LB Kendal Daniels – Oklahoma
Despite Carson Schwesinger absolutely dominating the league as a rookie, there’s an incredible amount of uncertainty at linebacker for the Browns right now:
- Still no definitive Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah news
- Mohamoud Diabate and Winston Reid set to become free agents in 2026
- Nathaniel Watson being injury-prone
- Devin Bush is a relative unknown in Cleveland regarding a new contract
Daniels is a big (6’5”, 242 lbs.), versatile linebacker who plays the run pretty well and was very good at living in opponents’ backfields in 2025 with 10+ tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He would give the team an athletic playmaker to develop on defense and a top-notch special teams contributor.
What do you think of this mock draft? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.
Category: General Sports
